Warriors consider extending Brandon Rush contract

Published 4:00 am, Saturday, January 21, 2012

The Warriors have little to gain from inking swingman Brandon Rush to an extension before Wednesday, but he's playing so well that they're at least considering the move.

Warriors general manager Larry Rileysaid he's had discussions with Rush's agent, Mark Bartelstein, about a one- or two-year extension. If they don't reach an agreement by Wednesday, Rush will become a restricted free agent at the end of the season - meaning the Warriors could match any other team's offer.

"I love it here, and I want to be here," Rush said before Friday's game against Indiana, the team that dealt him to the Warriors during training camp. "Whether we sign an extension or not, it won't make any difference at all in how I play.

"I'm going to keep playing like it's the last year of my contract. I'm going to keep playing as hard as I can."

Rush has been a nice complementary player for the Warriors since arriving last month in a trade for forward Lou Amundson. The 6-foot-6 fourth-year player has given the Warriors a consistent defensive presence against shooting guards or small forwards, and he's knocking down open three-pointers at a 51.3 percent clip.

His impact was fluctuating early in the season, when he averaged 7.9 points and 2.4 rebounds through the first seven games. After playing a season-low six minutes at the Lakers, Rush has averaged 10.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in the past seven games. He had six points and six rebounds in 20 minutes Friday.

"He's been a huge pickup for us," point guard Stephen Currysaid. "We love Lou, but Brandon gives us someone at the 3 spot who can come off the bench and provide instant offense. Defensively, he's long and athletic. He's done a great job for us."

Rush still keeps in touch with many of his former teammates, and he had long pregame conversations with Dahntay Jones and Lance Stephensoncourtside. Rush said he was amped up to play against the team that shipped him west after three solid seasons.

It was a lineup full of guys who weren't exactly known for individual defensive prowess. But the Pacers limited opponents to 96.7 points a game on 44.6 percent shooting and were sixth in the league in defensive rebounds.

"That put another stamp on how defensive concepts and ideas can be used to make you a better team," Jackson said. "It showed you that even when you don't have the best individual defenders - most glaringly Chris and I - you can be successful as a team when you're on one accord."

Jackson said it is fair to compare that Indiana group with his current Golden State team.

"I'm not sure they've been asked to be individual or collective defenders in the past," Jackson said. "That's no knock, but their mind-set was to outscore opponents. They have the ability to defend as a group."